2017 Toyota 4RUNNER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
12,890 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 23 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 36 complaints (38.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 30.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 14; Service Brakes: 9; Electrical System: 5; Air Bags: 3; Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Steering: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2017: 7; 2018: 10; 2019: 3; 2020: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10956997 · 2017-02-26 (February 26, 2017)
AFTER LESS THAN 20 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP OF A NEW 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER AND LESS THAN 600 MILES, THE CAR FAILED TO IDLE, SHOWED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT STAYED LIT. THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE INJECTOR WIRE HAD BEEN CHEWED BY A RODENT. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $516 AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I WAS SURPRISED BY THIS DUE TO THE FACT WE LIVE IN SEATTLE AND MY PREVIOUS CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE EXACT SAME AREA FOR 9 YEARS WITHOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970966 · 2017-04-06 (April 6, 2017)
MY CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN I GOT IN TO RUN ERRANDS AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND MY TRAC OFF LIGHT WAS ON. WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE IT WAS VERY SLUGGISH, I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK. THE TRUCK STAYED OVERNIGHT SO THEY COULD DIAGNOSE BUT SHE WAS PRETTY SURE THAT IT WAS RODENTS CHEWING ON THE WIRES BECAUSE IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND AND I DID SOME CHECKING WHILE IT WAS IN SERVICE AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY USE A SOY BASE ON THE WIRING AND THAT RODENTS LOVE IT AND IT'S PRETTY COMM…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,599 miles reported. Look up ODI 10970966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11043597 · 2017-11-05 (November 5, 2017)
BRAKE FAILURE. APPROACHING 4 WAY STOP. WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, HEARD-FELT A POP AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND LOST ALL BRAKING POWER. THIS IS A NEW VEHICLE. HAD TO USE PARKING BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION TO SLOW TO STOP. FORTUNATELY ONLY GOING 30MPH........STILL ROLLED INTO CENTER OF 4 WAY INTERSECTION. THANK GOD NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,890 miles reported. Look up ODI 11043597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11044936 · 2017-11-09 (November 9, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 TOYOTA 4RUNNER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS LOCATED AT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS, THE REAR CURTAIN AIR BAGS LOCATED AT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR, AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AIR BAGS ABRUPTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND WHEEL WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BURNS ON THE LEFT ARM DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNK…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11044936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11046656 · 2017-11-16 (November 16, 2017)
RE: COMPLAINT 11043597. EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. NO WARNING LIGHT. BRAKES WERE RESET? AFTER VEHICLE ARRIVED AT DEALER. ECU DID NOT DOWNLOAD ANY WARNING CODES. BASED ON THIS, TOYOTA WILL NOT REPAIR/REPLACE CORRESPONDING BRAKE COMPONENTS AND WANT ME TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS WAS A COMPLETE BRAKE LOSS WITH PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND NO BRAKES. USED PARKING BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION TO STOP CAR. CHECKING THE NET, THERE ARE OTHER 5TH GENERATION 4RUNNERS WITH SIMILAR BRAKE FAILURES AND SIMILAR NO ACTION FROM TOYOTA
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11046656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11051617 · 2017-11-30 (November 30, 2017)
CAR STALLED ON THE FREE WAY WHILE DRIVING . THE DASH BOARD HAD A WARNING TO CHECK ENGINE AT DEALER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (TANSKY SAWMILL, DUBLIN OH). THEY RESET THE CAR AND IT WAS RETURNED TO US. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP, DIAGNOSTICS DETECTED TWO ERROR CODES REPORTED A) P0A0F, B) P3190 CURRENTLY DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY
Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 11051617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11054845 · 2017-12-14 (December 14, 2017)
I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES. I STOPPED BUT WHILE I WAS SITTING WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, MY 4RUNNER STARTED ROLLING FORWARD. I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR TO A POINT I COULD BARELY REACH TO GET IT TO STOP AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY AGREED THE BRAKES WERE NOT ACTING RIGHT. THEY COULD SEE ON THE COMPUTER THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG AS WELL. THEY SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER ON THE 4RUNNER. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 1/2 MONTHS OLD WITH 2500 MILES. WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THEY SAID THEY…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11054845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11057849 · 2018-01-01 (January 1, 2018)
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FROM DALLAS TO HOUSTON AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN, WE HEARD AND EXPLOSION. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING HIT OUR TRUCK, BUT WHEN WE OPENED THE SUNROOF COVER IT WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED. SOME PIECES HIT THE CAR BEHIND US, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT. LUCKILY THE INTERIOR COVER WAS CLOSED.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,124 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057849 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V291000 · Equipment
Reported: 2017-05-01 (May 1, 2017)
Gulf States Toyota, Inc (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2016-2017 4Runner vehicles equipped with the TFORCE accessory package. The fasteners for the aftermarket roof rack may have been improperly tightened.
Consequence: If the roof rack fasteners loosen, the roof rack may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the roof rack fasteners, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Gulf States' number for this recall is 17R1.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V295000 · Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Reported: 2017-05-02 (May 2, 2017)
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as stated on the Tire Pressure Label.
Consequence: A spare tire that is not inflated to the proper value may not perform as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gulf States will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the spare tires, adjusting their pressure as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 15, 2017. Owners may contact Gulf States customer service at 1-800-444-1074. Toyota's number for this recall is 17R2.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V763000 · Structure:Body:Hood
Reported: 2017-11-29 (November 29, 2017)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Toyota 4Runner vehicles equipped with an accessory Billet Grille Overlay installed by SET or provided by SET and installed by SET dealers. The U-nut that secures the overlay grille may fracture, allowing the Billet Grille Overlay to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: If the Billet Grille Overlay detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will replace the securing U-nuts with upgraded hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 26, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17C.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V831000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2017-12-20 (December 20, 2017)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V753000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2018-10-25 (October 25, 2018)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Toyota 4Runner vehicles that SET modified to be equipped with a TRD wheel package. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification label may be incorrect, possibly resulting in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: An overloaded vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners and mail them corrected certification labels, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET18A.
NHTSA campaign record ↗